French word

cadet

Pronunciation

IPA/kadɛ/

Meaning

  • adjectiveyounger

Example

Mon frère cadet habite à Paris.

My younger brother lives in Paris.

Illustration for cadet (younger)

More examples

Je présente mon frère cadet à mes amis.

I introduce my younger brother to my friends.

Core concept

A later-born member standing behind an older member in the order of a family or group.

Common phrases

  • frère cadet

    younger brother

  • fils cadet

    younger son

Similar words

jeune: Young in age.
petit: A younger person or child referred to with affection.
junior: Belonging to the younger age group or generation.

Definition in French

Qui, par rapport à un autre membre d'une fratrie ou d'un groupe, occupe une position de naissance plus tardive et est donc plus jeune.

Word origin

French cadet developed from Occitan capdet, linked to Latin caput, 'head', with the sense of a younger son emerging later.

Usage tips

  • The adjective agrees in gender and number: frère cadet, soeur cadette, frères cadets, and soeurs cadettes.

Other meanings

  • younger sonnoun
  • cadetnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • cadetyounger sonnoun
  • cadetteyounger daughternoun

Word lists with this word